Leakage current
Lekstroom
Also known as: emc-filter-lekstroom, pe-10mm-emc, dubbele-pe-lekstroom
Current that flows to earth outside the intended circuit, partly capacitive (cable capacitance, EMC filters, VFDs) and partly resistive (moisture, ageing insulation). The sum of leakage currents on a group determines nuisance tripping of an RCD; ~0.3 × IΔn (≈ 9 mA on a 30 mA RCD) is a practical ceiling.
Practical example
Leakage current: A circuit with five EMC-filtered IT power supplies and a variable frequency drive sums to 12 mA leakage current, bringing a 30 mA RCD close to its nuisance-trip threshold.
Common mistake
Leakage current. Many small IT power supplies plus a VFD on one 30 mA group — cumulative leakage causes unexplained trips; distribute across multiple RCDs or use a suitable type with higher IΔn.
See also
Related terms
- Residual Current Device (RCD)
- RCD Type B
- RCD Type F
- Insulation resistance
- Leakage current clamp meter (selective diagnosis)
- Prospective short-circuit current
- Clamp meter (current clamp)
- Motor Locked-Rotor Current (LRC) and Short-Circuit Contribution
- Rogowski Coil (Flexible Current Sensor)
- Current Transformer Accuracy Class
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